The ride will drop riders 120 feet down a shaft into the mines in as little as 3 seconds.
Similar in function to Disney’s Tower of Terror, the Haunted Mine Drop ride will drop six riders 120 feet before taking them on a ghostly journey of mining history and local folk lore. It will be almost completely underground - the first of its kind - a design preference of owner Steve Beckley, who says he didn’t want to disrupt any of his neighbors’ view.
Beckley reached out to Stan Checketts, a thrill ride engineer with more rides in amusement parks than any other person in the industry, for help with the project.
An old mine shaft would have presented too much danger for the ride, so crews began blasting out a new shaft in the summer of 2016. A building will sit on top of the tunnel, adding 10 feet to the 110 ft drop underground.
Other features will include high tech holograms in the form of ghosts, who will give the tour. Riders will be a part of the story, treated as if they’re arriving for the first day of work. The ghosts will tell the history of the mine and why it closed, before riders plummet 120 feet into King’s Row Cave.
As they enter the enclosed queue, they’ll feel like they’re entering a mine with narrative and characters that introduce the story line. Upon entering the ride, they’ll be seated, strapped in and entertained as ghostly miners appear and tell tales of a mining tragedy from long ago. They won’t realize that the floor has slid out from underneath them until they drop deep inside the mine shaft. More ghosts will appear at the bottom to continue the tale, and then the ride returns to the main level for exit."
Outside the ride, pretend dynamite will allow kids to press a button for smoke and sound, allowing them to get a real taste of mining!
With its record 205,000 visitors in 2016, Beckley says more seating and shade was a top complaint, so covered picnic tables and seating areas are being implemented. Plans for revamping the plaza, adding a splash pad, and replacing the covered entryway are underway as well.
https://youtu.be/yfVOy-cFOk4
The Plaza renovations are scheduled to be done by Memorial Day, and the park hopes to have the Haunted Mine Drop open by mid-summer.
